Pittsburgh · Altoona · Philadelphia · Statewide Telehealth
Condition Guides from our Therapists
Practical articles on relationships and how to improve your life using modern therapy practices.
CPA Counseling publishes condition guides and therapy articles written by our licensed therapists in Pittsburgh, Altoona, and Philadelphia. Every article is written from clinical experience — not generic wellness content. In-person and telehealth statewide.
Articles to Improve your Understanding
LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Philadelphia
Finding LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Philadelphia means finding a therapist you don’t have to explain yourself to before the work can begin. Philadelphia offers real community and resources, yet living in an LGBTQ+-visible city doesn’t automatically mean you feel like you belong. Affirming therapy supports coming out, dating, family back home, work, transition, and loneliness. Claire Friedlander, Graduate Social Work Intern offers an affirming, collaborative space in Philadelphia.
Do Real Men Go to Therapy?
Do real men go to therapy? After 35 years of practice, my answer is yes — the strongest men are the ones with the courage to look inward. The "boys don’t cry" script leaves many men disconnected, with unprocessed emotion leaking out as anger or withdrawal. David McAnallen, a psychologist in Pittsburgh, helps men build real tools, in person or by telehealth across Pennsylvania.
How to Let Go of a Friendship
Letting go of a friendship can be as painful as a romantic breakup. It helps to honestly assess how the relationship makes you feel, set boundaries, and then either let it fade naturally or talk openly about your concerns. Some friendships are only meant for a season, and grieving the loss is part of moving on. Aubrey Revak, LPC helps clients work through relationships and life transitions.
Being “Anti-Social” During the Holidays
Introverts and anyone prone to social burnout can feel drained by the holiday season of gatherings and events. Coping means remembering you don’t owe anyone your attendance, setting boundaries, protecting recharge time, and saying no without guilt. If social anxiety is behind the dread, therapy can help. Crystal Fiumara, LPC supports clients across Pittsburgh’s South Hills.
Breaking the Stay-at-Home Dad Stigma
The stay-at-home dad stigma is real — men who step back to raise their kids often face quiet judgment and a loss of professional identity that can turn into anxiety or low mood. Michael Breitenbach, MS, LPC, a father of four and therapist in Pittsburgh’s South Hills, helps men redefine purpose and worth beyond a paycheck, in person or by telehealth across Pennsylvania.
Coping with a Roommate: Communication & Boundaries
Living with a roommate can stretch your patience and communication skills. Coping well comes down to communicating openly, compromising, respecting each other’s space, and setting clear expectations — rather than bottling things up until they boil over. Nicholas White, LPC helps teens and young adults across Pittsburgh navigate relationships and stress.
READY TO START?
Don’t let fear keep writing your story
Anxiety rarely stays where it is. Left alone it tends to ask for a little more room each year — one more thing declined, one more route avoided, one more part of life quietly made smaller until the smaller version starts to feel like who you are. It doesn’t take a crisis to justify starting. It only takes deciding that this year isn’t going to look like last year. You don’t have to have it figured out first; you only have to make one decision that isn’t fear’s.